When Orayne Graham invited me to a tour of his Eastern Exotic Pets Mobile Zoo, I eagerly accepted as I wished to see the tropical animals that he had on show.
However, as I noticed him extracting two ball pythons from their enclosures, the considered making a swift exit from the zoo crossed my thoughts. But Graham, who noticed the trepidation printed on my face, laughed loudly because the snakes connected themselves to his physique and slithered round his waist and neck. The reptiles, which he nicknamed Lemon and Lime, he stated are among the many friendliest creatures.
“They are very pleasant and sensible, consider me. They do not sting or chunk, and they’re tamed and educated, so they will not chunk you. I as soon as had a phobia for snakes however I acquired over that in 2017 once I began the pet zoo, and now they’re my little associates,” he stated.
Lemon and Lime are native celebrities and are used in school exhibitions, music movies and picture shoots. According to Graham, extra Jamaicans are buying snakes as pets, as they’re simpler to take care of than pure-bred dogs.
“A snake like this values $150,000 to $200,000. People want to have snakes as pets as a result of they’re simpler to feed and deal with. They eat two or thrice for the month and they’re pleasant,” he stated.
During the interview, the pleasant serpents slithered throughout their grasp after which discovered their manner into the arms of his three-year-old daughter, Raynia, who giggled gleefully.
In addition to the ball pythons, Graham additionally rears Chinese silky chickens, Yellow-Naped Amazon parrots, tortoises, love birds, Scarlett Macau, iguanas and Ayam Cemani Chickens. The entrepreneur and animal lover advised THE WEEKEND STAR that he ventured into the pet business after he discovered it tough to interrupt into the leisure business.
“The music has been a tough journey so I simply determined to enter the zoo business after shopping for two birds for my daughter in 2017,” stated Graham, who makes use of the moniker Prince Reign within the leisure sphere.
“I invested so much on this business and, belief mi, having all these animals is tough as a result of one of many birds can cost as a lot as $200,000. The tortoise cost me over $100,000. It’s not low-cost to take care of them as a result of their meals is pricey as properly, however I get pleasure from doing this. It put smile [on people’s faces] and provide peace to quite a lot of people,” he stated.
“These pets assist to alleviate stress, as they’re very humorous and it is like they will perceive when you’re having a down second. They will do little antics to cheer you up,” he stated.
The 30-year-old businessman stated his small enterprise has been correctly registered and is working with all of the required permits. He anticipates including extra unique birds and reptiles to his assortment quickly.
